You might mistake the long thin dried roots for ginseng, but it is codonopsis pilosula (dang shen) sometimes called poor person’s ginseng. It is neutral – not heating like ginseng- and is an important tonic for digestive and lung weakness – weak spleen leading to Qi energy and blood deficiency. It has a nice mild semi-sweet taste. Lately I have been soaking a couple of small roots a few minutes to soften it and chewing it with my morning tea. Avoid your expensive teeth.

Dangshen enhances immunity, dilates blood vessels, lowers blood pressure, improves microcirculation, It has been used to improve (middle burner) digestion by firming and tonifying, it reduces chronic diarrhea, thirst and hunger in diabetes. The plant has a bell-like white flower.

The other herb that looks like big flat slices of root is atractylodes (bai zhu) it is anti-inflammatory used to reduce bloating, indigestion, poor appetite, weight loss due to cancer therapies, and arthritis. (Don’t use it if you are allergic to ragweed.)